Superintendent Honored For Service

May 07, 1998|By EARL YOST; Special to The Extra Earl Yost is retired sports editor for the Manchester Herald.

Wilson Deakin Jr. called balls and strikes with melodious voice for 25 years in slow-pitch softball games in the Manchester area.

Now enjoying the retirement that comes as reward for dedicated service to the education system in Manchester after 27 years, Deakin has turned his attention to a new endeavor.

``Now I have the time to do something that I have wanted to do for years but was always too busy -- sing,'' he said as he awaited for the official dedication of the softball field in his honor April 28 at Illing Middle School. Deakin retired last June as the assistant superintendent of Manchester schools. A year earlier he was forced to give up working slow-pitch softball games because of knee problems, but for a quarter-century he could be seen working at least two or three games a week at area ballfields.

Softball was a sport that brought Deakin additional celebrity and respect in the community.

Naming the 7-year-old softball facility off East Middle Turnpike in Deakin's honor was a fitting tribute to the big man. Anyone who played slow-pitch softball in Manchester got to know Deakin and he was always welcomed to work their games because of his fairness and ability to handle all types of controversy.

The founding father of the Manchester Amateur Softball Umpires Association, Deakin was a familiar figure behind the plate or on the bases at games involving scholastic and town recreation department games. His career was launched in 1971 and it wasn't until 1996 that he put the count indicator and umpire's uniform in mothballs.

``When I first came to Manchester, I wanted to play softball, and when the teachers started a team in my second year here, I indicated that I wanted to play. I admitted that I couldn't hit, couldn't field and couldn't run fast. That did it. There was no room for me.

``I wanted to get involved in the sport and someone suggested I might try umpiring.

``I recall that the first game I ever worked was at Robertson Park. That was the start of 25 springs and summers umpiring somewhere.''

Slow-pitch softball was just making headway in town when Deakin first broke in. He led the move to form an umpires' board to handle the rapidly increasing number of games as interest skyrocketed.

As a result of his leadership, Deakin became president of the fast-growing Manchester chapter of qualified and registered arbiters. This position he held for 20 years with dignity and respect.

Besides receiving a small plaque commemorating the brief program, handled by Alan Beitman, Illing's principal, a large permanent stone was unveiled at the field entrance.

The inscription reads, ``Dr. Wilson Deakin Softball Field. Dedicated to Deke for his 28 years of service to the youth of Manchester.'' Deakin noted his tenure covered 27 years.

To make the cool, sunny day complete, Deakin was called to the pitcher's mound to deliver the official first pitch -- a strike -- before a regularly scheduled fast pitch game featuring the Illing girls.

``This is the second highlight of my retirment,'' Deakin said. ``The first was a trip to Ireland to visit relatives.''

Deakin's family helped make it a day to remember. His 87-year-old father, Wilson Sr., viewed the procedure from the adjoining parking lot. His wife, Betty, and two of his four children, daughters Catherine and Steffanie, were on hand. Unable to attend were his son, Wilson III, and daughter Carol, who lives in Florida.